A microbiologist is a scientist who studies the microscopic organisms that cause infections, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and algae. They focus on the identification and growth of these organisms in order to understand their characteristics, with the overall aim to prevent, diagnose and treat infectious diseases.
Microbiologists work in laboratories and offices, where they conduct scientific experiments and analyze the results. Most microbiologists work full-time and keep regular hours.
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The work of microbiologists is relevant in a range of fields, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and agriculture. The majority of the work is carried out in hospitals, laboratories, and offices, with the main employers being environmental organizations, the National Health Service, the pharmaceutical and water industries, and forensic science laboratories.
Microbiology is a broad subject that overlaps with other life sciences, such as immunology and biochemistry.
How to Become a Microbiologist
To become a microbiologist, a related degree in a subject such as biology, microbial science, or biomedical science is essential. Laboratory experience, as well as becoming a member of a relevant society, is also generally needed.
For employment with the National Health Service, or at universities, an accredited three-year training program leading to an MSc in microbiology is required.
Careers in Microbiology in Nigeria
There are various sectors where a Microbiologist can work in Nigeria. These are:
Environmental Sciences
Microbiologists can work in the field of environmental sciences. Here, they are involved in issues that relate to climate change, pollution, waste, green energy, heat, and other processes that affect the environment directly.
Environmental Health/Public Health
Microbiologists attempt to explain and monitor environmental health and other phenomena that cause diseases. Many microbiologists work in hospitals, medical schools, clinical laboratories, and other health industries.
The roles/responsibilities of Microbiologists in Public health include:
- Analyzing samples collected on patients or the local population which includes bodily fluids for experiments or tests.
- Identifying harmful pathogenic microbes that attack the human body
- Culturing and examining different types of samples
- Presenting reports on findings
- Assisting nurses, doctors, and other health care personnel in patient care.
Field Work
Microbiologists also function outside laboratories. These ones work by collecting samples outside of the laboratory in order to study microorganisms, so as to help in improving public health and track diseases.
Industrial Work
Microbiologists also work in industrial settings such as in fields of engineering etc.
Academic Work in Higher Education Institutions
A microbiologist can work in the academic field as a lecturer or researcher. In the academic field, microbiologists spend time conducting experiments, analyzing results, writing articles, and making publications.
Many times these experiments and processes take years to conclude. The work of a microbiologist working in academia also includes educating the public on facts that would help improve their lives.
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Medicine/Pharmaceutical Companies
Pharmaceutical companies work to produce medicines that help in the prevention and cure of diseases. The services of a microbiologist are needed to help with the analysis of microorganisms that cause diseases and components to be included in drugs and vaccines.
Clinics and Veterinary Hospitals
Microbiologists can work as clinical and veterinary Microbiologists in order to identify disease-causing microorganisms (microbes) in humans and animals.
Healthcare Organizations Government Agencies such as NAFDAC, SON, etc.
Here, a Microbiologist is involved in regulatory affairs and is meant to ensure the quality and safety of vitamins, vaccines, antibiotics, toiletries, and antiseptics. Microbiologists also identify harmful microorganisms in water, food, dairy, pharmaceutical, and products used by the public
- Public health organizations such as the World Health Organization
- Environmental organizations
- Food and drink industries: These include restaurants where microbiologists are employed in order to verify the quality of the products they are using
- Forensic science laboratories
- Publicly funded research organizations: A degree in Microbiology will help qualify you for research and technical positions
- Research Assistant
Microbiologists provide technical support in research by working in a team with other scientists or as research directors. Researchers work in various fields such as the university, laboratories, or organizations.
Sales or Technical Representatives
Microbiologists can provide information on scientific products such as medicines to prospective consumers.
Journalism
A graduate of Microbiology can take up a career in Journalism wherein he or she investigates issues that pertain to diseases and their causes and other environmental conditions.
- Sales: A graduate microbiologist can be involved in the sales of scientific types of the equipment ad business
- Science writing for the general public: A microbiologist can write science-related articles via blogs and websites.
Petroleum industry
The services of microbiologists are needed in the petroleum industry for roles such as:
- Monitoring and studying oilfield microorganisms that cause corrosion of oil/gas pipelines and other oil production installments
- Using microorganisms to recover oil from spent reservoirs
- Using microorganisms to convert crude oil to natural gas
Bio-remediation
This Is a process of treating contaminated materials such as water, soil, and other subsurface materials. This is done by altering environmental conditions to stimulate the growth of microorganisms and wear down other pollutants.
In Nigeria, Bioremediation is another area of exploit for a Microbiologist. This is due to widespread oil pollution. Hence, microbiologists are involved in the process of using microorganisms to clean up oil-polluted areas and oily wastes.
Microbiology also provides one with the necessary foundation so as to be able to advance their education in other scientific fields such as medicine, veterinary, or dentistry.
One can further broaden his/her career choices by advancing his or her degree in Microbiology via a master’s or Doctorate degree. A doctorate degree qualifies one for higher positions in the academic field and other sciences.
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Careers of a Microbiologist in Other Science Fields
Microbiology is interwoven with other science courses such as Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Immunology. Therefore, many career opportunities are available to microbiologists in other science fields. These include:
- Biomedical sciences
- Biotechnology
- Clinical research
- Clinical sciences/immunology
- Food technology
- Medicinal chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmacologist
- Technical brewer: These ones ensure beer produced at a brewery meets specific standards including beer quality.
- Product quality sciences
- Ecology
- Environmental engineering
- Forensic sciences
- Marine biology
Final Notes on Where A Microbiologist Can Work in Nigeria
Since Microbiology as a course is interwoven with other areas of Biology such as Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Immunology, it follows that there are opportunities for Microbiology-related careers in a wide range of sections.
The career opportunities to choose from as a microbiologist will depend on the level of education and training you receive. A baccalaureate degree in microbiology will help you qualify for many technical, research, and clinical positions.
An advanced degree in microbiology will broaden your career choices even further. A Master’s degree would qualify you for a career as a laboratory supervisor or an instructor at a community or junior college.
A doctoral degree (or its equivalent) is almost always required for higher-level positions in microbiology and other sciences. With a Ph.D. in Microbiology, you could be qualified to perform independent research, teach undergraduate and graduate students, or assume executive-level responsibilities in government and industry.
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